BACKBLOCK ROADS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1931, Page 15

BACKBLOCK ROADS

WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY. MEETING OK THE COUNCIL. Mr. N. R. Cleland, chairman, presided over a meeting of the Whangamomona County Council yesterday. Others present were Councillors E. B. Roberton, B. Newstroski, W. G. Rollenson, M. P. Ford, G. Gower and J. D. Law. A letter was received from the Waimea County Council, Nelson, seeking co-opera-tion in an effort to have the Rating Act amended in the direction of an enactment so that when the Government acquires land either through purchase or through the land, falling into its hands on account of the default of mortgagors, it shall be liable for local rates on the same valuation as if the properties were privately owned. The efforts of the Waimea Council received hearty support from the meeting, and a motion to that effect was adopted. A complaint regarding the state or the Mohakau Road was received from Mr. Charles J. O’Neill, of Te Wera. Mr. O’Neill estimated the revenue in rates from sections along the road, at between £BO and £lOO, but claimed, that not more than £lO a year had been spent during the last two years. “1 think it is about time to squeal,” he wrote. He further stated that about three or four days’ work had been done by the surfaceman before the winter, but otherwise the road had been ignored during the past twelve months, and when the grader was working near Te Wera the Mohakau was the only road passed by. “As I understand that there are a good many unemployed in the Strathmore riding, I think it only fair that the clay roads should be inspected periodically and touched up when necessary,” he said. “This, I take it, is what we pay rates for. I even went so far as to offer to provide a waggon and the services of myself and man to sand a few of the worst parts before the winter, but the offer was not accepted. So I have come to the conclusion that our road must be suffering from plague or some such infection. It certainly has been a plague to get in and out.” In his final paragraph Mr. O’Neill pointed out that there was a broken culvert near his farm which constituted a danger to traffic. “Mr. O’Neill is an ex-councillor, and he should know as well as any oi us that a clay road cannot be improved during the' winter while it is subject to traffic,” said Cr. Ford. “His only remedy is to follow the example of other settlers on mud roads, and go in for a special loan.” Councilor Newstroski gave further particulars of the road. Some of the settlers, he said, seemed to think the surfaceman was not getting over his rounds quickly enough. It was a fairly short length. The chairman; It has to be remembered that the grader was brought in and was not sent back to complete the roads in that vicinity. After forther discussion Cr. Ford undertook to inspect the road. Meanwhile, particulars of the broken culvert will bo obtained. A letter was received from Mr. F. Neilson drawing the council’s attention to the bad state of the Mangare Road in several places, and asking that they bo remedied. He also complained of a drain which required opening and deepening in order to prevent a low-lying portion of the road from becoming swampy, and suggested that at one particular place tho road should be raised. “We are under the impression that the loan for th® Mangare metalling scheme is now available, and hope that the work may be done during the coming summer,” he stated. “It is the opinion of all concerned that if the metal pit on Mr. Hodder’s property was properly opened up it would be found quite suitable for metalling purposes.” Mr. Neilson is to be informed that the council has the matter in view, but is awaiting information regarding the loan, which is not being uplifted until the provision of the amendments to the Rating Act made this year have been investigated. Some of the work, however, will be able to be done, by the surfaceman before long. WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. Councillor Ford moved that the clerk be instructed to draft a letter to the Minister of Labour protesting against the allocation towards the wages of unemployed men being reduced in the Whangamomona County and counties similarly situated, especially in view of the board’s claim to encourage men to work in the county. “We hear a lot about workers being required to go into the country and concentrate upon useful development work,” he said, “but at the same time the board’s system actually discourages men from leaving the towns. In towns workers are assisted by charitable organisations, and also enjoy all the comforts of living in towns. I think men doing useful work in the country should be entitled to an extra day’s work.” “If you give the men food for the balance of the week I am satisfied they will give you their services,” said Cr. Gower. He added that the council could guarantee at least 20 men who were perfectly willing to come into the backblocks and work as required, provided they were able to live and draw their 18s a week. Councillor Law strongly condemned the failure of the Unemployment Board to establish a single men’s camp in Taranaki. “Take our county with work crying to be done,” he said. “Where could a camp of single men be more useful ?” The chairman gave specific instances of valuable work which lie said could be done by men established in such a camp. If tho board would adopt the policy of reducing allocations for wages in rhe larger towns, he said, and increase it in back-blocks counties, then tho men would have to go into the country and the Dominion would benefit nationally in consequence. Councillor Gower: I am referring to single men. In towns they get their 18s a week and pay it straight away in board. Councillor Ford: I am strongly of opinion that the board should change its policy in the direction of giving unemployed men a definite inducement to work in the country. Councillor Rollenson: The only way m this county seems to be the establishment of camps. He instanced settlers who for years had had to put up with mud roads despite all' the efforts of the council. I would like to see camps established, and I would like to see the men engaged in permanent improvements such as metalling. Councillor Law then moved as an amendment “That the council is of opinion that more unemployment labour | should be diverted into back country districts, and views with favour the poL

icy of the Unemployment Board in establishing camps under the supervision of the Public Works Department for the purpose of metalling roads and otherwise improving access to farms where the low value of land precludes settlers from raising special loans.” Tho chairman: The Mangare Road, where metal deposits are handy, would be an ideal spot for a camp. Metal deposits are also to be found in the Tangarakau gorge, where' metal is badlywanted on the road. The amendment was adopted. GENERAL MATTERS. The tender of Mr. T. Frazer for stripping metal at Kohuratahi was accepted. It was left in the hands of the riding member to have repairs effected to a small bridge near Mr. W. Manning’s property at Makahu. A quantity of pipes for the Bremer and another road were ordered. To safeguard a hole on the Kohuratahi Road, instructions were given to have it fenced. On Cr. Gower’s offer to furnish the material, it was also agreed to fence a dangerous bluff on the Lower Kohuratahi Road near Willis’. When a deviation was made in the Kohuratahi Road a portion of the original road was abandoned. It was decided to lease this to Mr. G. Gower at a nominal rental of 5s per annum.